Mike Whaley/Democrat photo
Milton's Town Beach baseball field has been closed by the town due to liability concerns with baseballs bouncing onto Route 125, which borders the field. The move created an uproar in town as the closure came two weeks into the spring school baseball seasons.

MILTON — A week ago on April 23, the town’s Board of Selectmen decided to close the Beach Field indefinitely due to safety concerns.

To those who call it home — the Nute High School baseball team, Milton schools, and Babe Ruth teams — the decision was a crushing blow to the season. It is, however, expected to reopen soon.

The field’s proximity to Route 125 has caused concern about foul balls bouncing onto the road and endangering motorists. Selectmen stated that as soon as the issue was brought to their attention, the field became a liability and had to be closed immediately.

An impromptu special meeting was held on Tuesday evening to discuss a resolution. Parents, local residents, and athletes attended the meeting, hoping to voice their ideas and complaints. The board listened before stating it had developed a solution. For just under $5,000, the town has purchased a net to replace the old nylon one. The total project will cost the town roughly $11,000, with many time and material donations being made to facilitate the work.

Selectman Bob Bridges said “the netting is being made as we speak.” U.S. Netting out of Washington State is making the new net. “They will overnight it to us for Monday,” he said.

The Nute High School baseball team has missed one home game and four practices due to the field’s closing. They are expected to miss another game on Monday, May 6. The team has been holding makeshift practices on the considerably smaller elementary school field. However, the selectmen approved practice to resume at the Town’s Beach Field in the meantime.

Residents were happy a solution was reached. Both sides agreed it was a priority to get the players back on the field as soon as possible.

Bridges confirmed the net is expected to arrive Monday and the date the field will be ready for use is tentatively being set for the next day, Tuesday, May 7.